29 oct 2016
A number of Palestinian citizens suffered injuries during violent armed clashes at dawn Saturday between gunmen and scores of Palestinian Authority (PA) security personnel in Balata refugee camp in Nablus.
The violent events have been taking place since one o’clock in the morning, according to the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) reporter in Nablus
Eyewitnesses told the PIC reporter that the violence broke out after a large number of security forces and presidential guards stormed at dawn some Balata neighborhoods, occupied several houses and deployed snipers on rooftops, describing the gunfight as the most violent since a long time.
Local sources also reported that several citizens, including a member of the security forces, were wounded and rushed to Rafidia hospital during the confrontations.
They noted that the security man lost one of his eyes, while one of the wounded citizens suffered a head injury after he was severally beaten in the events.
Meanwhile, several local women rallied on the streets of the camp in protest at the security campaign in the camp.
The violent events have been taking place since one o’clock in the morning, according to the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) reporter in Nablus
Eyewitnesses told the PIC reporter that the violence broke out after a large number of security forces and presidential guards stormed at dawn some Balata neighborhoods, occupied several houses and deployed snipers on rooftops, describing the gunfight as the most violent since a long time.
Local sources also reported that several citizens, including a member of the security forces, were wounded and rushed to Rafidia hospital during the confrontations.
They noted that the security man lost one of his eyes, while one of the wounded citizens suffered a head injury after he was severally beaten in the events.
Meanwhile, several local women rallied on the streets of the camp in protest at the security campaign in the camp.
A team from the Israeli occupation army has been preparing for months for what may happen in the territories the day after Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas is no longer in power.
According to Haaretz newspaper on Friday, the Israeli army is making preparations to deal with various scenarios after Abbas is gone, including a large-scale armed Palestinian conflict over the replacement of Abbas, “who is clearly living on borrowed time.”
The newspaper highlighted the political strife between Abbas and his arch rival Mohamed Dahlan, which recently turned into armed violence in Fatah-controlled areas of the West Bank.
“There is undeniable paranoia toward Dahlan in the Palestinian president’s office, but lately some of that feeling seems to be justified. This week the conflict between Abbas and Dahlan spilled over into violent protests in Palestinian refugee camps in Jenin, Balata in Nablus and al-Am’ari in Ramallah,” the newspaper said.
It also pointed to Egypt’s unhidden support for Dahlan, who was once in charge of the Gaza Strip and whose violations there led to a military revolt in June 2007, saying that Egyptian officials declared that openly in conversations with Israelis.
According to Haaretz newspaper on Friday, the Israeli army is making preparations to deal with various scenarios after Abbas is gone, including a large-scale armed Palestinian conflict over the replacement of Abbas, “who is clearly living on borrowed time.”
The newspaper highlighted the political strife between Abbas and his arch rival Mohamed Dahlan, which recently turned into armed violence in Fatah-controlled areas of the West Bank.
“There is undeniable paranoia toward Dahlan in the Palestinian president’s office, but lately some of that feeling seems to be justified. This week the conflict between Abbas and Dahlan spilled over into violent protests in Palestinian refugee camps in Jenin, Balata in Nablus and al-Am’ari in Ramallah,” the newspaper said.
It also pointed to Egypt’s unhidden support for Dahlan, who was once in charge of the Gaza Strip and whose violations there led to a military revolt in June 2007, saying that Egyptian officials declared that openly in conversations with Israelis.
23 oct 2016
Avigdor Lieberman was interviewed by the leading Palestinian newspaper
The popular Palestinian newspaper al-Quds interviewed Israeli Defense Minister Lieberman for a story to be published on Monday; Palestinians: 'It's an embarrassment that we are hosting the murderer and war minister of the occupation.'
Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman has given a rare interview to al-Quds, the largest Palestinian newspaper in the West Bank, raising the ire of the Palestinians.
The interview is due to be published on Monday, with the newspaper teasing the article on Sunday with a photo of Lieberman in his office with a copy of the Arabic-language newspaper on his desk.
The interview has drawn anger from Palestinians on social media, especially amongst those who identify with the Hamas and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) terror groups.
They have been sending messages to the newspaper on Twitter using the hashtag "media of normalization" (I'alm al-tatbi'ah).
"The conflict with the enemy isn't only about power, it is also ideological, cultural, and natural. Therefore, any type of normalization with Israel must be forbidden," one commenter wrote.
Another added that "it's an embarrassment that we are hosting the murderer and war minister of the occupation in our media. No to normalization."
Lieberman reportedly said in the interview that if a new conflict between Israel and Hamas were to begin, "it will be the last."
The defense minister is also said to have laid out how a two-state solution could be achieved with the Palestinians, which would see land and population swaps, and would see Israel keeping the large settlement blocs.
Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai reportedly worked behind the scenes to get the interview to happen.
The popular Palestinian newspaper al-Quds interviewed Israeli Defense Minister Lieberman for a story to be published on Monday; Palestinians: 'It's an embarrassment that we are hosting the murderer and war minister of the occupation.'
Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman has given a rare interview to al-Quds, the largest Palestinian newspaper in the West Bank, raising the ire of the Palestinians.
The interview is due to be published on Monday, with the newspaper teasing the article on Sunday with a photo of Lieberman in his office with a copy of the Arabic-language newspaper on his desk.
The interview has drawn anger from Palestinians on social media, especially amongst those who identify with the Hamas and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) terror groups.
They have been sending messages to the newspaper on Twitter using the hashtag "media of normalization" (I'alm al-tatbi'ah).
"The conflict with the enemy isn't only about power, it is also ideological, cultural, and natural. Therefore, any type of normalization with Israel must be forbidden," one commenter wrote.
Another added that "it's an embarrassment that we are hosting the murderer and war minister of the occupation in our media. No to normalization."
Lieberman reportedly said in the interview that if a new conflict between Israel and Hamas were to begin, "it will be the last."
The defense minister is also said to have laid out how a two-state solution could be achieved with the Palestinians, which would see land and population swaps, and would see Israel keeping the large settlement blocs.
Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai reportedly worked behind the scenes to get the interview to happen.
22 oct 2016
Violent clashes broke out at dawn Saturday in Jenin refugee camp when PA security forces stormed the camp amid heavy fire of live ammunition and tear gas bombs.
Local sources told PIC reporter that teargas bombs have been extensively used during the raid, which led to the outbreak of the clashes.
Local youths closed the entrance to the camp in an attempt to prevent any planned arrests, the sources added.
Similar clashes broke out more than once over the past week as PA forces tried to carry out arrest campaigns.
Local sources told PIC reporter that teargas bombs have been extensively used during the raid, which led to the outbreak of the clashes.
Local youths closed the entrance to the camp in an attempt to prevent any planned arrests, the sources added.
Similar clashes broke out more than once over the past week as PA forces tried to carry out arrest campaigns.
Hamas Movement welcomed in a statement issued on Saturday the initiative submitted by Secretary General of the Islamic Jihad Ramadan Shallah.
Earlier on Friday, Ramadan Shallah suggested ten tips as a way out from the current impasse emerging on the Palestinian national scene.
Hamas considered the initiative as an important step to straighten the Palestinian situation, calling for its support.
The Movement also congratulated Jihad Movement on the occasion of the 29th anniversary of its inception.
Earlier on Friday, Ramadan Shallah suggested ten tips as a way out from the current impasse emerging on the Palestinian national scene.
Hamas considered the initiative as an important step to straighten the Palestinian situation, calling for its support.
The Movement also congratulated Jihad Movement on the occasion of the 29th anniversary of its inception.
Hundreds of Palestinian citizens participated Saturday evening in a sit-in in Gaza Strip calling for ending the internal division and achieving a real national unity.
The sit-in was organized in Gaza city by patriots to end the division and restore national unity group.
The participants held Palestinian flags and chanted slogans calling for an end to the internal division.
During the event, member of the group Ahmed Youssef stressed the importance of national unity for the establishment of a national political partnership.
Meanwhile, a similar event was organized in Ramallah amid the participation of dozens of people.
The participants called for the implementation of the previous agreements that were signed during national reconciliation talks.
The sit-in was organized in Gaza city by patriots to end the division and restore national unity group.
The participants held Palestinian flags and chanted slogans calling for an end to the internal division.
During the event, member of the group Ahmed Youssef stressed the importance of national unity for the establishment of a national political partnership.
Meanwhile, a similar event was organized in Ramallah amid the participation of dozens of people.
The participants called for the implementation of the previous agreements that were signed during national reconciliation talks.
21 oct 2016
The Hamas Movement has appealed to the international community to pressure Israel to recognize the UNESCO’s resolution on the Aqsa Mosque and stop its violations against it.
This came during a sit-in organized Thursday by the Islamic Bloc outside the UNESCO headquarters in Gaza.
“It is time for the international community and the UN organizations to pressure the occupation state to recognize the UNESCO’s resolution and implement it practically on the ground at the Aqsa Mosque,” Hamas spokesman Abdul-Latif al-Qanua said during the sit-in.
Qanua also slammed outgoing UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon for criticizing the UNESCO’s resolution on the Aqsa Mosque, describing his remarks in this regard as a blatant bias in favor of the Israeli occupation.
This came during a sit-in organized Thursday by the Islamic Bloc outside the UNESCO headquarters in Gaza.
“It is time for the international community and the UN organizations to pressure the occupation state to recognize the UNESCO’s resolution and implement it practically on the ground at the Aqsa Mosque,” Hamas spokesman Abdul-Latif al-Qanua said during the sit-in.
Qanua also slammed outgoing UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon for criticizing the UNESCO’s resolution on the Aqsa Mosque, describing his remarks in this regard as a blatant bias in favor of the Israeli occupation.
Secretary General of the Islamic Jihad, Ramadan Shallah, urged on Friday the Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas to pluck up his courage and cancel the Oslo agreement.
Reaching out to Gaza by phone during a festival held by the Islamic Jihad to mark the 29th anniversary of the group’s inception, Shallah urged the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) to backtrack on its recognition of Israel.
He called on Abbas to take serious steps in favor of the Palestinian cause and people.
The Islamic Jihad leader suggested ten tips as a way out from the current impasse emerging on the Palestinian national scene.
He spoke up against the tragic upshots of the Oslo accord, saying it served as an umbrella to cover Israeli crimes.
Shallah stressed the strong bond unifying the Palestinians of the West Bank, Gaza, and 1948 Occupied Palestine, calling for healing the rift and working on deactivating the Oslo accord.
He stressed the need to restructure the PLO as an organization that should speak up for all the Palestinians alike.
According to Shallah, armed resistance is the only way to oust the Israeli occupation.
Also speaking during the festival, Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahhar slammed the Israeli aggressions and break-ins at the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque.
He said the Al-Aqsa Mosque is for Muslims only.
He hailed the Islamic Jihad on the occasion of the 29th commemoration of the group’s founding.
“We might disagree over certain matters. However, we are on the same mind as our brothers in the Islamic Jihad regarding our commitment to the key tenets,” said al-Zahhar.
He added that the Palestinian resistance will make no concessions and will never forfeit a single inch of Palestine.
“Palestine extends from river to sea. Palestine is not just Gaza and the West Bank. Our territorial integrity is not a bargaining chip,” al-Zahhar further stated.
Reaching out to Gaza by phone during a festival held by the Islamic Jihad to mark the 29th anniversary of the group’s inception, Shallah urged the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) to backtrack on its recognition of Israel.
He called on Abbas to take serious steps in favor of the Palestinian cause and people.
The Islamic Jihad leader suggested ten tips as a way out from the current impasse emerging on the Palestinian national scene.
He spoke up against the tragic upshots of the Oslo accord, saying it served as an umbrella to cover Israeli crimes.
Shallah stressed the strong bond unifying the Palestinians of the West Bank, Gaza, and 1948 Occupied Palestine, calling for healing the rift and working on deactivating the Oslo accord.
He stressed the need to restructure the PLO as an organization that should speak up for all the Palestinians alike.
According to Shallah, armed resistance is the only way to oust the Israeli occupation.
Also speaking during the festival, Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahhar slammed the Israeli aggressions and break-ins at the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque.
He said the Al-Aqsa Mosque is for Muslims only.
He hailed the Islamic Jihad on the occasion of the 29th commemoration of the group’s founding.
“We might disagree over certain matters. However, we are on the same mind as our brothers in the Islamic Jihad regarding our commitment to the key tenets,” said al-Zahhar.
He added that the Palestinian resistance will make no concessions and will never forfeit a single inch of Palestine.
“Palestine extends from river to sea. Palestine is not just Gaza and the West Bank. Our territorial integrity is not a bargaining chip,” al-Zahhar further stated.
20 oct 2016
Nickolay Mladenov, the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, briefed on Wednesday the UN Security Council on the difficult humanitarian situation in Gaza Strip.
The absence of progress has led to growing anger and frustration among Palestinians, the UN official said.
The Gaza Strip has been under an Israeli siege since June 2007. The blockade has caused a decline in living standards as well as unprecedented levels of unemployment and unrelenting poverty.
He noted that “Palestinians have again been unable to exercise their democratic rights after local council elections in the West Bank and Gaza were postponed.”
On Oct. 4, the Palestinian government decided to postpone the municipal elections, planned to be held on Oct. 8, for four months after the Supreme Court issued a decision to hold the elections in the West Bank only without Gaza Strip.
Control of Gaza must return to the Palestinian Government of National Unity committed to the PLO principles, according to Mladenov.
He reiterated the position of the Secretary-General that settlements are illegal under international law and undermine the two-state solution.
Although international focus on the Question of Palestine may have been overtaken by the tragedy in Syria and elsewhere in the Middle East, but it cannot be allowed to be relegated to a secondary problem, he concluded.
The absence of progress has led to growing anger and frustration among Palestinians, the UN official said.
The Gaza Strip has been under an Israeli siege since June 2007. The blockade has caused a decline in living standards as well as unprecedented levels of unemployment and unrelenting poverty.
He noted that “Palestinians have again been unable to exercise their democratic rights after local council elections in the West Bank and Gaza were postponed.”
On Oct. 4, the Palestinian government decided to postpone the municipal elections, planned to be held on Oct. 8, for four months after the Supreme Court issued a decision to hold the elections in the West Bank only without Gaza Strip.
Control of Gaza must return to the Palestinian Government of National Unity committed to the PLO principles, according to Mladenov.
He reiterated the position of the Secretary-General that settlements are illegal under international law and undermine the two-state solution.
Although international focus on the Question of Palestine may have been overtaken by the tragedy in Syria and elsewhere in the Middle East, but it cannot be allowed to be relegated to a secondary problem, he concluded.
